Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Price Index. – Dáil Éireann (20th Dáil) – Wednesday, 5 Jun 1974

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Price Index.

Mr. G. Fitzgerald

asked the Taoiseach if he will list the items included in the consumer price index which increased in price in the 12-month period up to 31st March, 1974; the percentage increase in each case; the total number of increase; and the average percentage increase.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach (Mr. Kelly)

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the percentage change in prices of the items entering into the consumer price index between mid-February, 1973, and mid-February, 1974. Of the 367 items listed 357 showed an increase. The overall increase in the index in the period was 13.5 per cent.

Following is the statement:

Percentage change in prices of items entering into the Consumer Price Index between mid-February, 1973 and mid-February, 1974.

Commodity	Percentage increase (+) or decrease (-)
FOOD:
Beef:
Round steak	+ 1.7
Sirloin steak	- 0.5
Sirloin roast	+ 2.1
Rib steak (or chuck)	+ 1.8
Leg of beef (boneless)	+ 2.0
Brisket corned beef	+ 4.4
Mutton (excl. Spring Lamb):
Leg (whole)	+ 3.6
Loin chops	+ 5.2
Cutlets (rib chops)	+ 5.5
Gigot chops	+ 4.0
Neck	+ 1.2
Liver	+ 5.7
Pork:
Leg (whole)	+ 15.6
Loin chops	+ 15.7
Shoulder (whole)	+ 15.7
Steak	+ 15.4
Bacon:
Best back rashers	+ 21.1
Streaky rashers	+ 25.7
Ham, uncooked (whole)	+ 22.6
Shoulder (whole)	+ 24.6
Poultry and other meat:
Broiler, uncooked, oven ready (medium size)	+ 25.9
Chicken, cooked (medium size)	+ 23.5
Ham, cooked	+ 24.1
Sausages, pork	+ 23.8
Black pudding	+ 29.2
Fresh fish:
Whiting, fillets	+ 26.4
Cod, cutlets	+ 35.8
Plaice, fillets	+ 26.5
Herrings (whole)	+ 12.9
Fish fingers	+ 21.3
Dried and cured fish:
Fillets, smoked	+ 28.1
Kippers, smoked	+ 29.0
Tinned fish:
Salmon	+ 27.1
Sardines	+ 8.8
Fresh vegetables:
Potatoes	- 25.6
Tomatoes	+ 8.0
Onions	+ 4.5
Carrots	- 1.5
Turnips (medium size)	+ 5.0
Cabbage (medium size)	- 0.9
Cauliflower (medium size)	+ 10.4
Dried peas	+ 17.7
Tinned vegetables:
Peas	+ 3.7
Beans	+ 1.3
Bread:
White, sliced	+ 9.1
White, unsliced	+ 8.6
Brown	+ 8.1
Flour:
White, sliced	+ 9.1
White, self-raising	- 2.6
Brown, wholemeal	- 2.9
Biscuits:
Cream crackers	+ 38.3
Plain	+ 43.8
Sweet	+ 35.8
Cake:
Fruit	+ 28.7
Sponge sandwich	+ 16.5
Swiss roll	+ 10.0
Milk:
Fresh milk, pasteurised	+ 9.5
Condensed milk	+ 14.7
Fresh cream	+ 13.2
Cheese:
Processed	+ 31.3
Natural, cheddar or cheshire	+ 28.0
Eggs:
Large size	+ 60.5
Standard size	+ 64.7
Butter and other fats:
Butter, creamery	+ 0.5
Margarine	+ 26.7
Cooking fat	+ 39.9
Fresh fruit:
Apples, cooking	+ 5.2
Apples, eating	+ 1.6
Oranges	+ 12.3
Bananas	+ 19.6
Tinned fruit:
Pears	+ 16.4
Peaches	+ 18.3
Dried fruit:
Raisins, seedless	+ 33.6
Sultanas	+ 54.2
Prunes	+ 35.8
Beverages:
Tea, best quality	+ 3.3
Tea, medium quality	+ 3.5
Coffee beans, ground or roasted	+ 5.0
Coffee extracts, powder	+ 6.1
Cocoa	+ 14.2
Sugar:
White granulated	+ 1.9
Castor	+ 7.2
Cereal products:
Cornflakes	+ 7.2
Wheatflakes	+ 8.1
Oatmeal, packet	+ 10.1
Cornflour	+ 7.2
Rice	+ 40.6
Semolina	+ 11.1
Jelly and custard:
Jelly	+ 1.0
Custard powder	+ 6.7
Soup:
Tinned	+ 1.5
Dried	+ 5.6
Jams and syrup:
Jam	+ 7.0
Marmalade	+ 5.6
Golden Syrup	+ 11.6
Sweets and ice cream:
Sweets	+ 14.2
Chocolate bars	+ 11.0
Ice cream, block	+ 9.1
Soft drinks:
Minerals, orange	+ 7.2
Minerals, lemon	+ 6.8
Orange squash (concentrated)	+ 5.0
Miscellaneous items:
Sauce	+ 4.5
Bovril	+ 2.8
Salt	+ 7.7
Pepper	+ 16.6
Mustard	+ 8.7
Potato crisps	+ 18.1
Meals away from home	+ 15.9
ALCOHOLIC DRINK:
Sherry:
Glass	+ 15.7
Bottle	+ 20.4
Table wine	+ 11.0
Stout:
Draught	+ 6.5
Bottle	+ 7.7
Ale, bottle	+ 7.3
Lager, bottle	+ 7.3
Whiskey:
Glass	+ 10.1
Bottle	+ 13.4
Gin: Glass	+ 10.8
Bottle	+ 13.8
Brandy:
Glass	+ 16.4
Bottle	+ 16.2
TOBACCO:
Cigarettes:
Plain	+ 10.4
Filter tipped	+ 10.5
Cigars	+ 7.8
Tobacco:
Plug	+ 15.1
Flake	+ 10.9
CLOTHING:
Men's outer-clothing:
Heavy overcoats, lined—low priced	+ 18.7
Heavy overcoats, lined— medium priced	+ 17.3
Cotton/terylene raincoats, proofed	+ 18.6
Two-piece suits, worsted, ready-made-low priced	+ 20.3
Two-piece suits, worsted, ready-made—medium priced	+ 17.3
Two-piece suits, worsted, tailormade—low priced	+ 15.2
Two-piece suits, worsted, tailormade—medium priced	+ 15.1
Sports coats, tweed	+ 17.5
Trousers, terylene or cotton	+ 19.0
Cardigans	+ 18.7
Heavy pullovers	+ 18.0
Men's under-clothing:
Shirts, collar attached— low priced	+ 20.8
Shirts, collar attached— medium priced	+ 20.9
Vests	+ 22.5
Underpants, cotton	+ 24.2
Pyjamas	+ 23.8
Women's outer-clothing:
Coats, woollen lined—low priced	+ 15.7
Coats, woollen lined— medium priced	+ 22.2
Showerproofs, lined	+ 20.2
Two-piece suits—low priced	+ 15.5
Two-piece suits—medium priced	+ 21.4
Skirts, wollen	+ 16.9
Dresses, cotton	+ 15.5
Dresses, other material	+ 20.0
Blouses	+ 23.7
Cardigans—low priced	+ 24.9
Cardigans — medium priced	+ 14.1
Women's under-clothing:
Vests, cotton	+ 22.5
Panties	+ 10.7
Slips, nylon	+ 21.2
Corsets (with fastenings)	+ 13.9
Girdles	+ 11.0
Brassieres	+ 13.7
Nightdresses	+ 16.2
Pyjamas	+ 14.9
Children's outer-clothing:
Boys' heavy overcoats, lined	+ 15.5
Boys' two-piece suits, worsted, ready-made	+ 11.5
Boys' trousers, short	+ 27.4
Boys' heavy pullovers, woollen	+ 26.0
Girls' coats, lined	+ 19.7
Girls' skirts	+ 20.1
Girls' dresses, cotton	+ 15.3
Girls' blouses	+ 20.2
Children's underwear:
Boys' shirts	+ 22.1
Boys' vests	+ 22.0
Boys' pyjamas	+ 27.7
Girls' vests, cotton	+ 14.6
Girls' panties, cotton	+ 21.1
Girls' nightdresses	+ 12.3
Hose:
Men's socks	+ 20.4
Boys' stockings, threequarters length	+ 14.7
Women's tights and nylons	+ 4.7
Girls' ankle socks, cotton	+ 16.8
Other clothing:
Men's handkerchiefs, white cotton	+ 29.0
Men's ties, terylene	+ 29.4
Men's leather gloves, woollen lined	+ 12.2
Women's gloves	+ 24.1
Women's scarves	+ 27.8
Clothing material:
Dress material, woollen	+ 27.3
Dress material, cotton	+ 24.4
Wool, double-knit	+ 22.6
Thread, spool	+ 16.6
Footwear:
Men's leather shoes, welted	+ 20.6
Men's leather shoes, vulcanised	+ 21.0
Men's slippers, fabric upper	+ 23.9
Men's boots, heavy working	+ 20.0
Women's casual shoes	+ 18.6
Women's fashion shoes— low priced	+ 21.2
Women's fashion shoes— medium priced	+ 19.7
Women's slippers, fabric uppers	+ 13.7
Boys' leather shoes, vulcanised	+ 24.3
Boys' boots	+ 19.1
Girls' leather shoes	+ 25.3
Children's wellington boots	+ 22.5
Children's sandals, rubber soled	+ 26.0
FUEL AND LIGHT
Coal, delivered	+ 55.4
Turf:
Briquettes	+ 14.5
Other	+ 11.4
Paraffin Oil	+ 34.4
Bottled gas	+ 31.5
Firewood blocks	+ 12.3
Gas	+ 23.9
Electricity	+ 28.4
Fuel oil	+ 60.1
HOUSING
Rent and rates (rented dwellings)	- 2.1
Rates and water charges (owner occupied dwellings)	- 3.4
Repairs and decorations	+ 37.7
HOUSEHOLD DURABLES
Furniture:
Three-piece upholstered lounge suites (settee and two chairs)	+ 15.8
Fireside chairs, upholstered	+ 18.3
Dining-room suites, wood	+ 20.0
Kitchen sets, (table and four chairs)	+ 23.6
Bedroom suites	+ 16.9
Single divan beds (including mattress)	+ 17.3
Drop-side cots	+ 19.2
Large domestic appliances:
Radios, portable transistors	+ 7.7
Radios, mains	+ 7.9
Television sets	+ 7.4
Vacuum cleaners	+ 11.2
Cookers, electric	+ 9.7
Cookers, gas (bottled or piped)	+ 8.4
Refrigerators	+ 13.4
Washing machines	+ 8.5
Record players	+ 10.7
Small domestic appliances:
Fires, electric	+ 9.3
Irons, electric	+ 12.4
Kettles, electric	+ 11.2
Razors, electric	+ 7.8
Electric bulbs	+ 11.1
Oil heaters	+ 15.4
Tools and garden equipment:
Hammers	+ 16.1
Garden spades	+ 18.2
Lawnmowers, manual	+ 12.2
Wheelbarrows, metal	+ 13.1
Watering cans, plastic	+ 9.3
Dust bins, galvanised	+ 21.7
Floor coverings:
Linoleum	+ 18.5
Carpeting	+ 27.0
Heart rugs	+ 22.8
Doormats	+ 18.5
Soft furnishings:
Curtain material—low priced	+ 25.0
Curtain material— medium priced	+ 21.1
Sheets, cotton, single size	+ 30.9
Blankets, all wool, single size	+ 19.4
Towels, turkish	+ 42.0
Tea towels	+ 25.1
Tablecloths	+ 9.8
China and glassware:
Cups and saucers, ordinary ware	+ 18.9
Half-tea service, china (21-piece)	+ 10.4
Tumblers, pressed glass, no handle	+ 17.1
Casserole dishes, oven glassware	+ 9.5
Domestic utensils:
Table knives, stainless steel blade	+ 20.6
Table forks	+ 26.2
Saucepans, aluminium	+ 16.8
Household scissors	+ 28.5
Scrubbing brushes	+ 27.4
Household sweeping brushes	+ 13.5
Polish brushes	+ 30.4
Wash-up basins, plastic	+ 25.3
Household buckets, plastic	+ 36.3
OTHER GOODS
Domestic non-durables: Household soaps	+ 14.8
Soap or detergent powders	+ 11.0
Soap or detergent liquids	+ 8.8
Starch	+ 14.7
Polish, floor	+ 11.4
Polish, shoe	+ 10.6
Toilet paper	+ 34.5
Matches	+ 2.6
Toilet requisites:
Toilet soaps	+ 13.3
Tooth paste	+ 4.7
Hair cream	+ 8.4
Shampoo	+ 12.8
Cold cream	+ 5.9
Lipstick	+ 12.1
Paper tissues	+ 19.9
Razor blades	+ 4.7
Tooth brushes	+ 7.3
Personal goods:
Brief cases, leather	+ 17.6
Suitcases, large	+ 12.5
Ladies' handbags, leather	+ 18.1
School bags	+ 23.6
Umbrellas, women's	+ 21.6
Wristwatches, men's	+ 11.5
Alarm clocks, mechanical	+ 17.6
Sporting goods and toys:
Golf balls	+ 12.0
Tennis balls	+ 14.6
Footballs, leather	+ 14.9
Tennis rackets	+ 9.8
Fishing-rods	+ 18.6
Toy table-tennis sets	+ 16.1
Tricycles	+ 13.5
Set of draughts	+ 10.4
Pack of playing cards	+ 16.2
Stationery:
Envelopes	+ 21.1
Writing pads	+ 14.3
Picture postcards	+ 17.6
Ink	+ 15.4
Pencils, black lead	+ 22.2
Fountain pens	+ 4.9
Ball-point pens	+ 8.9
Record and camera films Records, L.P., 33½ r.p.m.	+ 5.0
Records, single, 45 r.p.m.	+ 7.2
Camera films, black and white	+ 4.7
Developing charge for film, black and white	+ 7.4
Newspapers and periodicals	+ 5.3
TRANSPORT
Vehicles:
Motor cars	+ 16.1
Motor cycles	+ 19.1
Bicycles (without extras)	+ 10.4
Perambulators	+ 10.1
Go-cars	+ 13.1
Motor tax:
Cars	+ 12.7
Cycles	+ 64.8
Motor insurance:
Cars	+ 14.8
Cycles	+ 13.2
Maintenance and running costs:
Petrol	+ 15.2
Motor oil	+ 22.3
Motor car tyre, new	+ 6.0
Motor car battery	+ 5.9
Charges for mending punctures	+ 19.3
Standard maintenance charges	+ 14.8
Bicycle tyre	+ 11.7
Travelling:
Bus	+ 18.8
Train	+ 27.8
Other services	+ 15.0
SERVICES AND RELATED EXPENDITURE
Entertainment:
Cinema, evening film, highest price	+ 8.5
Cinema, evening film, lowest price	+ 11.3
Dance, regular admission no special attraction	+ 6.4
Sports fixture, cheapest adult admission charge (excluding championship or cup matches)	+ 22.1
Hairdressing:
Men's haircuts	+ 12.7
Women's shampoo and set (excluding trim)	+ 12.1
Shoe repairs: Men's shoes, soling and heeling	+ 15.5
Women's shoes, heeling	+ 18.5
Laundry:
Charges for men's shirts	+ 13.9
Charges for sheets (single size)	+ 13.6
Charges for tablecloths	+ 12.3
Launderette:
Washing, basic charge	+ 11.6
Drying, basic charge	+ 8.0
Dry cleaning:
Charge for cleaning man's two-piece suit	+ 11.5
Charge for cleaning
woman's coat	+ 10.8
Medical supplies and services:
Anadins	+ 1.3
Aspirins	+ 3.1
Andrews Liver Salts	+ 0.3
Milk of Magnesia	+ 2.9
Vaseline ointment	+ 8.6
Adhesive dressings	+ 8.1
Proprietary cough mixtures	+ 2.1
Medicines and drugs	- 2.9
Doctors', dentists and opticians' fees	+ 15.9
Hospital charges	+ 24.2
Education	+ 8.7
Domestic service	+ 16.5
Television rentals	+ 3.6
Hotel accommodation	+ 17.5
Expenditure abroad	+ 12.8
Postage	+ 19.7
Telephone and telegrams	+ 22.7
Subscriptions to sports clubs	+ 12.0
Trade union subscriptions	+ 10.0
Licences	+ 45.3
Other expenditure	+ 12.7

Mr. O'Malley

Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that if 357 out of 367 items on the consumer price index have increased in the year in question, approximately 95 per cent or more of the items have increased? How does he reconcile this with the promise of the Coalition Government before they were elected to introduce strict price control?

Mr. Kelly

My job is not to reconcile anything. It is to give the figures and Deputy O'Malley can make calculations for himself.

Mr. O'Malley

The Parliamentary Secretary makes no attempt to justify the situation. Does he agree that the Government are grossly at fault——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy knows that this is hardly relevant. Question No. 2.

Mr. G. Fitzgerald

The Parliamentary Secretary said that the average increase in the period was 13.5 per cent. The estimated increase this year is at least 13 per cent. In other words, for the two years since the Coalition have taken office, the consumer price index figure has gone up by almost one-third.

Mr. Kelly

I cannot give the Deputy any information beyond what I replied to Deputy O'Malley in comparison with the situation between mid-February, 1973, and mid-February, 1974. I cannot tell the Deputy what is happening now.